One reason many homeowners rarely think about their crawlspace is the poor air quality “down there.” It's damp and dark, dirty and dusty, and most homeowners leave their crawlspaces disheveled and dingy — which is why it is often forgotten about. Unfortunately, that dirty and dingy air can actually have an impact on the air you are breathing up above, in your living room, kitchen and bedrooms.
How is it that the uninhabited area underneath your feet can lead to an increase in the allergy-like symptoms you experience year round here in the Frankfort and Chicagoland area? At Assured Insulation, our indoor air quality (IAQ) experts have spent many a workday braving the darkness of our customer’s crawlspaces. Here is what you need to know about the air quality in your crawlspace, and why spring is the perfect time to seal up your crawlspace!
Crawlspaces Are Often Unchecked & Unhealthy
Because the crawlspace usually goes unchecked, it is much more likely to develop air holes and cracks that allow for excess moisture infiltration. If you’ve spent even a day living in Illinois, you know humidity is a constant issue — and that added moisture in your crawlspace can turn to mold in the blink of an eye. Outside air can also bring in other allergens and contaminants, which are likely to rise up into your living space. These harmful particles will undoubtedly undermine your IAQ and can cause you and your family to experience unpleasant symptoms, such as:
Excessive sneezing
Dry sinuses, throat & eyes
Headaches
Tiredness
Nausea
In addition to affecting your health, any mold growth in your crawlspace can deteriorate the wood and other materials that make up the construction of your home, compromising its structural integrity.
So what can be done to remedy the air quality in your crawlspace?
Seal Up Your Crawlspace This Spring
Our proven crawlspace encapsulation process begins with a thorough inspection of your crawlspace to find any and all underlying issues that are allowing moisture to wreak havoc on your home. We will then seal up any holes, remedy problematic sources of moisture inside the crawlspace, and install a thick vapor barrier to prevent any future moisture buildup. The next step is to insulate the pipes, floors, and walls with spray foam or cellulose insulation for a complete seal, providing a stable climate underneath your floors. With a fully encapsulated crawlspace, you will notice a number of benefits, including:
No more cold floors
Enhanced IAQ
Fewer indoor drafts
Reduced energy costs
Why spring? As the winter temperatures begin to warm up, it's important to seal your crawlspace before the midwest humidity hits hard. Scheduling your crawlspace encapsulation before summer will prevent any additional moisture damage, so you can get the maximum benefit out of your increased IAQ.
Take Control of Your Crawlspace with Assured
At Assured Insulation, we deal with much more than just insulating the homes of our neighbors and friends here in Frankfort, Chicagoland, and Northern Indiana. We are a full service home performance contractor, which means we want to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient through building science. If you are concerned that your energy bills are rising, and your home is less comfortable than it could be, give our home performance specialists a call and schedule your home energy audit today!